Letter from the Netherlands

Palm growing in Holland, by member W G. Takken.
W. G. Takken, PHV Rynstraat 60, 3904 HJ Veenendaal, Holland
Chamaerops No. 2, published online 23-11-2002

For about 15 years now I have been growing palms, cycads, citrus, and some other subtropical plants here in Holland.

I began growing them on the balcony of my apartment, but when they became too big, I moved to a house with a garden where I was able to build my first greenhouse. Here I grew Howea forsteriana and H. belmoreana, Trachycarpus fortunei, Washingtonia filifera, and Chamaerops humilis. This was in the mid-seventies and palms were not so easy to find in those days.

It was also around that time that I first saw Cycas revoluta. It was love at first sight! Nowadays I have around 25 species of Cycas, Dioon, Encephalartos, Zamia, Macrozamia and Lepidozamia, which, although I love, take second place to palms.

In addition to the above list I have added to my collection Archontophoenix, Butia, Hedescepe, Livistona, Phoenix, Rhapis, Rhopalostylis, and Sabal. All these are in the garden from mid- May until the first frosts are expected. During the winter, I keep them in a greenhouse where I keep a minimum of about 5¾C.

However, Chamaerops and Trachycarpus are made of sterner stuff and stay out longer. The former till temperatures drop to -5¾C. I don't dare risk them below this as they are quite big plants (trunks of 1m20) and very difficult to come by in Holland. Also I already lost one specimen in a winter experiment.

I do take chances with 'Trachycarpus fortunei however. I have one plant in a container, which I leave out until the temperature falls to about -10¾C. It has about 60cm trunk.

Another Trachy is planted out in the garden and I leave it, unprotected, to take its chances. After reading so many claims in 'PQ' I just want to know for myself how much it can take.

I have found that bringing out the palms in spring can be a bit tricky. Leaf burn is a problem with many of them, and they certainly need to be shaded against the sun for a few weeks first.

I have been a member of the International Palm Society for some years, and the articles in 'Principes' that I enjoy reading most are those from non-professionals. I am not so keen on the scientific ones! From the I.P.S. I bought a number of books on palms, and I also had free seed from the society's seed bank. Growing palms from seed, however, proved to be quite difficult and you need to be very patient.

There is one book I have never been able to buy. It is called "Palms & Cycads" by W. Hertrich. If anyone has this book, or a photocopy, I would be very pleased to hear from him or her.

I wish you all success with the E.P.S. and 'Chamaerops'!

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